StarChapter of the Month

The Southeastern CMSA exists in the midst of 800+ case management professionals in Fayetteville, NC. Their mission is to create a forum to share ideas and expertise to improve the health care services for their community residents. We were able to connect with Cynthia Bracey, President, and Sonya Rowe, Past President, of Southeastern CMSA to learn more about how they provide opportunities to the community and educate their members.

1. What was Southeastern CMSA Chapter’s strategy for engaging new members in the past year?

We continued with the longstanding strategy of recognizing all new members during Chapter events which includes general meeting, Christmas Party, Annual professional day of learning, Meet and Greet Mixer. During events all board members spend time with new members. Welcome and encouragement letter to participate in all events was sent by email. We encouraged all new and old members to visit and provide ideas for our StarChapter website.

This year both the secretary and membership chair made personal calls and emails to each member to build relationships and encourage participation.

2. Tell us about a successful event/meeting you organized last year.

One successful event that was organized last year was the Christmas Party at a local private Golf & Country Club with a DJ, great food, and the presenter addressed the topic: Traumatic Brain Injury. Members and Non-members attended however the greatest compliments came from business owners and young adults.

3. The CMSA Southeastern network is extensive. Does the board get ideas on how to improve membership value from other chapters?

We reach out to several chapters to obtain ideas to improve all aspects of our organization. In regards to membership value we were provided information on how to provide member discounts for events, how to place new members with old members in regards to seating, and how to create an atmosphere that empowers new members to offer their ideas and support.

4. Do you have any tips/advice to share with other board volunteers?

Think outside of the box to create opportunities to collaborate with business owners, college students, other professionals, general public, and new board volunteers from other chapters. As President, I decided to open the board meetings to all members to increase participation and to mentor potential officers. A board volunteer from another CMSA Chapter participated in our board meeting via telephonic conference to provide recommendations and critique my performance for improvement. I invited a board member from local professional nurse organization so we can co-host and participate in each other events.

5. What is in store for your members this year?

We decided to move from a meeting format to a fun and educational activity. Our first successful activity this year was Wine, Create, and Paint with an educational offering on the history of wine. The attendance was one of our largest in recent years and everyone enjoyed this event. Members brought their spouses, friends, co-workers, and young adult family members. One member decided to use this event as fun farewell gift for her co-worker who had retired and decided to move from the area. Our upcoming events that will include an educational offering are Let’s Bowl, First Annual Conference, and the Christmas party. We decided to hire a professional conference planner who is providing their facility.

6. How have been able to utilize StarChapter to run the CMSA Southeastern and reach its goals?

For new and potential members and the general public the StarChapter system has increased the presence of this Chapter in our community. StarChapter offers many benefits.

Would you like to share the success story of your chapter with other board volunteers? We'd love to feature you! Fill out this form to let us know.